Shane O'Hare, Chief Executive of Queenstown Airport
It is nearly five months since I became Chief Executive at Queenstown Airport, and I want to begin by thanking the QAC team and the wider community for an incredibly warm welcome.
My focus since September has been on making connections – getting to know the business, the people who keep it moving, and the region we serve. I am fortunate to have inherited a superb team. I have also found a strong collaborative spirit across the broader airport community, which includes our airline partners, general aviation operators, government agencies, tenants, retailers and many others. The safe and efficient operation of this airport depends on all of us working together well and that is an important focus for me in this role.
Another highlight of the past few months has been attending local events, from a tourism industry planting day and Destination Queenstown’s 40th birthday celebrations to the Queenstown Business Awards and the Lake Hayes A&P Show. This district really knows how to bring people together, and I’ve been impressed by the passion and community spirit behind each occasion.
I appreciate the time I’ve spent with the Mayor, councillors, and executive team at the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). It is essential we have a constructive relationship with our majority shareholder. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know other business and community leaders, and I look forward to building these relationships to help this region thrive.
Economic contribution
We are currently completing a piece of work with the support of Arrowtown-based economist Benje Patterson to quantify Queenstown Airport’s economic contribution to the district. The full results will be shared soon, but some of the preliminary findings are worth highlighting now.
Queenstown Airport is New Zealand’s fourth busiest airport overall and the third busiest for international arrivals – an extraordinary position for a district with just 1% of the country’s population. Passenger numbers are rising year on year and we are seeing historically high passenger loads on aircraft.
Every full international A321 flight brings about $405,000 in potential visitor spending for the district. A full domestic A321 flight contributes about $308,000. These flights aren’t just services; they are vital channels of economic activity.
Since 2023, QAC has paid out nearly $55 million in dividends. Last year alone, QLDC, as our majority shareholder, received $14.1 million – equivalent to about $435 per ratepayer. These figures underscore the airport’s role as both an enabler and a generator of prosperity.
Building an airport to be proud of
A common theme of my induction over the past few months has been the importance of quality infrastructure, a great customer experience, and the transformational improvements encompassed in our capital development programme.
Last year, we completed an innovative runway safety project, added new food and beverage options in the terminal, redeveloped one of our car parks, and began building additional offices and operational space for airline staff.
To support future growth and continual enhancement of the traveller experience, QAC will lift annual capital investment from about $35 million in 2025 to an average of $90 million over the next three years. Soon, you’ll see work start on a parallel taxiway and a new two-storey office building for QAC staff, Aviation Security, Police, and the Ministry of Primary Industries.
World-class architects Warren & Mahoney and Hassell have been appointed to help us develop a concept design for a major upgrade and expansion of the terminal.
I am confident we will deliver an airport we can all be proud of – one that meets the needs of our growing population, strengthens our economy, and represents this beautiful region well.
I also look forward to meeting more of you and making new connections. If you have any questions or suggestions for me, please get in touch.